‘Caligula’ Reconstructionist Thomas Negovan On Breathing Life Into The Controversial Film
Caligula is considered one of the worst films ever made. Released in 1980, the intended historical epic was reduced to the narrative nonsense full of unsimulated sex scenes and random extreme violence thanks to Penthouse founder and film financier Bob Guccione. It was, to put it bluntly, a disaster, completely disavowed by Malcolm McDowell, who plays the titular crazed Roman leader. For decades it was a joke. Until now.
Producer Thomas Negovan has reconstructed Caligula from the original camera negatives, telling the intended epic tale of depravity while honoring McDowell and Helen Mirren’s performances. In fact, not a single frame of Caligula: The Ultimate Cut has been seen before, with Negovan using slightly different takes and sequences to craft the narrative while still maintaining the massive spectacle of it all.
The result is a gorgeous restoration that McDowell himself approved, thanking Negovan for bringing the film back to life.
We spoke with Negovan about getting Malcolm McDowell’s approval, reviving such a controversial film, and more.
Watch the full interview below:
Caligula: The Ultimate Cut is playing in select theaters.
Categorized:Interviews
